The startling beauty of it entranced her.
Much closer, Safire could see other shapes in the gloom. Silhouettes of heads bobbing in the water. Inhuman forms crouched on the rocks.
“Sea spirits,” said Eris, suddenly at her side. “Known for breaking ships and eating crews alive.”
Safire shivered.
When two pirates forced her to the ship’s starboard side, however, she saw that the wind still roared, whipping the waves into a frenzy below. As they crashed against the ship, heaving and receding, she could see the sharp rocks the boat was grounded on.
“In you go,” said Rain, reaching for the rowboat secured with rope.
Behind her, Eris was arguing with Kor. But Safire didn’t hear a word of what she said. She was looking from the waves crashing against the hull to the sea spirits in the fog.
“Listen, girlie. It’s into the rowboat or into the sea. Pick one.”
Safire looked to find Rain leveling her with a stare so murderous, she climbed into the boat. Rain climbed in after her.
“It’s too dangerous!” Eris said, voice raised at Kor.
Safire looked to where Kor was forcing Eris—hands bound in front of her—toward the rowboats.
Eris’s eyes caught Safire’s as she reached to pull herself up and into the same boat, sitting down on the bench across from her. Eris must have seen something in Safire’s gaze, because her face changed. She glanced down to where Safire’s hands gripped the bench so hard, her knuckles were turning white.
“You were right,” Safire admitted. “I can’t swim.”
Eris’s gaze lifted in surprise. For a heartbeat, Safire thought Eris looked well and truly afraid for her. As if their boat capsizing was a serious possibility.
But if she thought that, Eris kept it to herself.
The crew still on board undid the rowboat’s fastenings and started to lower it down. Safire’s stomach lurched as they dropped, then halted, swinging. She stared down at the angry waves, roaring and crashing, wanting to drown her. She looked to the dark and hungry forms beyond, waiting to devour her.
“Hey. Princess. Don’t look down there. Look at me.”
But Safire couldn’t look away.
I wasn’t supposed to die this way.
“Safire.” Eris reached for her chin with bound hands, tilting Safire’s face away from the danger.
Safire started at the sound of her name more than the touch of Eris’s fingers. She looked up into Eris’s eyes, which were solemn as she said, “I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Safire glanced to Eris’s manacled wrists and knew this was a lie. If their boat capsized, Eris wouldn’t even be able to save herself. She wouldn’t be able to stop the sea spirits from eating either of them.
But it was kind lie, meant to reassure.
So Safire said, “What good is a promise from a low-life pirate?”
But she smiled as she said it.
Eris smiled slowly back.
Fifteen
Their boat nearly capsized twice.
Kor was an utter fool to attempt it. He knew just as well as Eris what sky-high waves could do to a small, rudderless boat. The only reason for such recklessness was the wrecked ship at their backs.
As Rain and Lila rowed, Eris kept her eyes on the fog. She could smell the stench of the sea spirits—like rotting fish—but could no longer see their dark shapes. If she had any love left for the Skyweaver, she might have sent a prayer skyward.
